Issue - meetings

To consider a report which requests authorisation for officers to continue negotiations with the Crewe and Macclesfield Charter Trustees concerning the historic and ceremonial regalia and property of the former Crewe and Nantwich and Macclesfield Borough Councils.

The Sub-Committee received an update on negotiations with the Crewe and Macclesfield Charter Trustees concerning the historic and ceremonial regalia and property of the former Crewe and Nantwich and Macclesfield Borough Councils, such regalia and property now being in the possession of Cheshire East Council.

To facilitate the negotiations towards agreement, the Asset Management Team had commissioned inventories of the two Town Halls which had been shared with the Charter Trustees. Officers from the Asset Management Team and Democratic Services would attempt to reach provisional agreement as to what property would be property of the Trust, and what would be the property of the Council, taking reference from the Regulations and guidance. There may also be property which may vest in other bodies, such as parish or town councils.

Other matters to consider would be:

§         Whether the Charter Trustees or any new Parish would retain the regalia in the current town halls.

§         Whether the Charter Trustees and any subsequent Parish Council or body had the resources required to repair, insure and curate the property. 

§         Whether the inheritance of the obligations to look after this property may be burdensome on any new Parish Council or may inflate the precept from such a Council to reflect that burden.

The Officers reported progress on the negotiations at the meeting.

Councillor David Neilson attended the meeting as a Charter Trustee for Macclesfield and gave an account of the background to the position at Macclesfield.

Members also asked about the position with regard to the Mayoral number plates from the former Borough Councils, and the regalia of the former County Council. Officers undertook to look into the matter and report back.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted and a further report be awaited.